The Yearbook phenomenon

Skimming through an Yearbook at break-neck speed before a friend snatches it away (to look at the photos!) is something I’ve done repeatedly over my years here, at Omega (Omega international School - alma mater of yours truly). But now that it’s my turn to fit an entire childhood into a page, the task seems bittersweet.

From being a newcomer with a heavy British accent, to the ‘girl who dances’, becoming ‘the girl who speaks’, and then the ‘Cultural Secretary’, Omega has played a huge part in shaping me, my identity and made me who I am today.

Omega to me, like so many others, means home-turf. A place where one can proudly grab a microphone and deliver an impromptu speech, with teachers and friends to applaud and give criticism regardless of how good or bad it actually was.

Omega to me, means comfort and familiarity, even while exploring uncharted waters. For me, this was the leadership role as Cultural Secretary, where despite hectic schedules and tons to get done, I always had the backing of friends, teachers and the Management.

Omega to me, means a repository of memories that I know I’ll always cherish. From moments of unbridled pride when one receives an award whilst representing the school, to all the classes spent organising events, and even the not-so-occasional mass bunks, there are memories made here that I’ll always come back to.

Omega to me, is also a spring of innovation. Be it in the form of opportunities that await every student, the teachers who give you the best of ideas and inspiration, or just the environment here, everything has helped us along the past years, and contributed to making us the people we are.

Omega to me, means friends and family. A place to meet new people, learn and grow shoulder-to-shoulder, compete and celebrate each other’s successes, and I know I’ve made a rich set of such friends here.

The teachers, who’ve been lights at the end of a tunnel are surely one of the best things about Omega. Nowhere else, would I have been given such chances to participate and hone my skill in debate, let alone be invited by the school to be a ‘Student Judge’ for one such event!

Lastly, Omega to me, also means magic.

Regardless of how far we travel, how rich or wise we may become, I know for a fact that we’ll never be a day older than the happy-go-lucky teens we are now, each time we revisit the place, or the memories we’ve made here.

“For men may come and men may go, But I go on forever.” is a famous line that comes to mind whenever I think of school, and I’m already excited to come back and revel in nostalgia in the years to come!

Dedicated to everyone out there who missed high-school (though 2020 has been at least as dramatic!) This was originally published in my Yearbook but let's be responsible and up-cycle material :)